State-of-the-art breast implants help women have control over desired look

Gummy bear implant safer, longer lasting

HOUSTON – Breast augmentation has taken over liposuction as the most requested plastic surgery procedure in the United States.

Now, a new generation of state-of-the-art implants in revolutionizing the field, giving women greater control over their desired look.

After the birth of her second child, Audrey Villafranco was ready for a different look. She enjoyed the fullness pregnancy gave her at the bustline. But after baby, not so much.

So she went to Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Cain Linville with a pretty specific idea of what she wanted, or rather, didn't want.

Villafranco told KPRC Channel 2 News, "I was trying to stay away from that big, fake look."

Linville said whether it's a "mommy makeover," breast reconstruction or replacing older implants, women led the charge for a new generation of silicone implants.

"The current trend is that bigger is not always better, and women are coming in asking for smaller implants that more naturally fit the curves of their body," Linville said. "There is some new implant technology that's come out just within the last year or less and this has really revolutionized the field of the breast augmentation, really."

There are three new types of so-called "gummy gel" implants.

The most cohesive gummy bear implant gives the most projection or extra cleavage.

The "Responsive" implant gives a more natural feel and look.

The "Soft Touch" is the best of both worlds, giving woman the softer and most natural looking shape.

"The exciting thing is that we can now talk about (is), how do you want the implant to feel? That's something that we've never been able to do before," Linville said.

These new innovations with breast augmentation are more than just about aesthetics, it's about safety, too.

"The cohesive nature of the implant means that the silicone sticks together just like if you cut a gummy bear," Linville said. "It doesn't leak out into the chest and it really doesn't have a reaction to your body, so it's much safer in terms of its profile, and the shells themselves are even much better than they used to be. They're difficult to break or fracture."

The new FDA-approved implants are expected to last longer than older generations, meaning women won't need to replace them as often as previously recommended.

Villafranco said post-surgery, "Not very many people can tell, so the people that do know say it looks very natural, and I've gotten plenty of compliments, and everyone wants to come see my doctor now. When I look at myself, I'm just happy."

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